rest day tomorrow.....then the Alps......
hell of a finish , kermit!!
about the 2:00 min mark
Mr Sagan.....
"It was a very long stage and it was very hot. I'm so happy and proud of my team because they did a very good job. I'm so happy to win for them, for Tinkoff and for Oleg [Tinkov]. It was unbelievable. A lot of times I lose the race for this [photo finish], and today I won. I believe in destiny and now it is turning back.
"Fans came here from Slovakia and it is very nice that they could come here to see me and to cheer for me. I have some fans in Switzerland, too.
yup kermt, Sagan is a horse ...Mr Froome had this to say about him;
"Phenomenal rider," Froome said of the long-haired rider with the Tinkoff team. "Most people in the peloton are scared of him, just his abilities. He can do everything. He chooses when he wants to go in the breakaway, how he wants to ride the finish."
.......
Froome;
"I wasn't actually up at the front those last few kilometers, it was pretty sketchy through all the towns, with lots of road furniture, lefts and rights and obviously over the cobbles. I was just trying to stay out of trouble and get to the finish as good as possible. I think everyone is quite glad there's a rest day tomorrow, that was a tough day out there.
"I'm pretty tired to be honest, and looking forward to the rest day> I'm looking forward to the Alps. I'm motivated, the team's been great. I'm looking forward to the last few days now.
"I think the team's in fantastic shape. I don't think we've ever been at this point with nine riders left. That's a great advantage for us. The guys are doing well, the morale is high, and we have the leader's jersey and a lot to fight for still. We're looking forward to getting back into the mountains now."
any fight in Movistar?
[FONT="]"Sky were very strong yet again and they really made it hard for us," said Valverde, who rides with Quintana at Movistar. "We're going to try to do our best in the coming week. We're definitely going to try something. I think people are expecting more fire and fight from us. We will fight in the coming stages.
[/FONT]
hell of a finish , kermit!!
about the 2:00 min mark
Mr Sagan.....
"It was a very long stage and it was very hot. I'm so happy and proud of my team because they did a very good job. I'm so happy to win for them, for Tinkoff and for Oleg [Tinkov]. It was unbelievable. A lot of times I lose the race for this [photo finish], and today I won. I believe in destiny and now it is turning back.
"Fans came here from Slovakia and it is very nice that they could come here to see me and to cheer for me. I have some fans in Switzerland, too.
yup kermt, Sagan is a horse ...Mr Froome had this to say about him;
"Phenomenal rider," Froome said of the long-haired rider with the Tinkoff team. "Most people in the peloton are scared of him, just his abilities. He can do everything. He chooses when he wants to go in the breakaway, how he wants to ride the finish."
.......
Froome;
"I wasn't actually up at the front those last few kilometers, it was pretty sketchy through all the towns, with lots of road furniture, lefts and rights and obviously over the cobbles. I was just trying to stay out of trouble and get to the finish as good as possible. I think everyone is quite glad there's a rest day tomorrow, that was a tough day out there.
"I'm pretty tired to be honest, and looking forward to the rest day> I'm looking forward to the Alps. I'm motivated, the team's been great. I'm looking forward to the last few days now.
"I think the team's in fantastic shape. I don't think we've ever been at this point with nine riders left. That's a great advantage for us. The guys are doing well, the morale is high, and we have the leader's jersey and a lot to fight for still. We're looking forward to getting back into the mountains now."
any fight in Movistar?
[FONT="]"Sky were very strong yet again and they really made it hard for us," said Valverde, who rides with Quintana at Movistar. "We're going to try to do our best in the coming week. We're definitely going to try something. I think people are expecting more fire and fight from us. We will fight in the coming stages.
I believe the only chance to put Froome in trouble is to get attacks from more than Valverde and Quintana. 3 minute lead over Quintana will be easy to defend IF team Sky only have to pay attention to him. Team Sky is so strong. I expect real action to take place tomorrow.
Big day tomorrow, to be telling.. Good points, kermit-- an alliance between Movistar and Astana?
“They want to defend their positions,” said Valverde in a hotel conference room at Movistar’s rest-day press gathering in Fribourg.
“Looking at the teams that are above us, Sky is the strongest by some distance. The others, yes they’re great teams but I think they’re focused in a different way. For example, Trek didn’t bring as many climbers as Sky – neither did Orica. I think our team is team is quite a bit stronger than either of those two.”
“There is a team that, on the days that matter, is usually assertive and effective, and that’s Astana,” he said.
“Up to now we haven’t seen them take an aggressive approach – it was only really the day before yesterday when we started to see their intentions.”
“Aru is a man for the third week as well,” added Unzué, referring to his two stage wins in the final week of the last year’s Giro and his last-gasp Vuelta victory several months later. “The truth is, in Astana, with their aggression, we could well find common goals and have extra ammunition against the strength of Sky.”
...................
Mr Quintana
“There have been moments when I wanted to attack. On Ventoux I was the only one to attack but we saw what a strong team he has,” Quintana said.
“The day of Culoz I could have attacked but there was a dangerous descent and then some flat kilometres to the line,” he reasoned. “We’re not going to attack just because people want a spectacle, when at the end of the day, what could have happened might have worse than what we have.”
“You have to sit down and look logically at where the time was lost,” countered Quintana. “The truth is it was the time trial above all that played on his strengths, and we couldn’t really do anything about that.”
“It’s not a proper mountain time trial – it doesn’t have a huge altitude – but still I don’t think it will create big differences between the favourites,” he said.
“There are other stages to take time or to come up with a strategy and they’re the mountain stages.”
.............................it's.................................................showtime...............
“They want to defend their positions,” said Valverde in a hotel conference room at Movistar’s rest-day press gathering in Fribourg.
“Looking at the teams that are above us, Sky is the strongest by some distance. The others, yes they’re great teams but I think they’re focused in a different way. For example, Trek didn’t bring as many climbers as Sky – neither did Orica. I think our team is team is quite a bit stronger than either of those two.”
“There is a team that, on the days that matter, is usually assertive and effective, and that’s Astana,” he said.
“Up to now we haven’t seen them take an aggressive approach – it was only really the day before yesterday when we started to see their intentions.”
“Aru is a man for the third week as well,” added Unzué, referring to his two stage wins in the final week of the last year’s Giro and his last-gasp Vuelta victory several months later. “The truth is, in Astana, with their aggression, we could well find common goals and have extra ammunition against the strength of Sky.”
...................
Mr Quintana
“There have been moments when I wanted to attack. On Ventoux I was the only one to attack but we saw what a strong team he has,” Quintana said.
“The day of Culoz I could have attacked but there was a dangerous descent and then some flat kilometres to the line,” he reasoned. “We’re not going to attack just because people want a spectacle, when at the end of the day, what could have happened might have worse than what we have.”
“You have to sit down and look logically at where the time was lost,” countered Quintana. “The truth is it was the time trial above all that played on his strengths, and we couldn’t really do anything about that.”
“It’s not a proper mountain time trial – it doesn’t have a huge altitude – but still I don’t think it will create big differences between the favourites,” he said.
“There are other stages to take time or to come up with a strategy and they’re the mountain stages.”
.............................it's.................................................showtime...............
Wow ! What a fizzle by Quintana. He does nothing but lose time as Chris Froome follows his ex teammate' and best friend Richie Porte up to the finish line. It looked like old times as the 2'of them finished ahead of all the rest of the GC CONTENDERS. The end result is that Chris Froome increased his lead on all his main rivals and appears now to be headed for another Tour Championship. I'm rooting for Richie Porte to gain more time and gain a podium spot in this year's Tour. Young Yates had another great day and appears likely to perhaps secure a podium spot also. Tomorrow's very difficult Time trial will be key to both of their chances.
left NOTHING to doubt.........
our planet's NUMERO UNO. He's 31 years young and has the heart of a lion.
"Quintana tried one time to attack but maybe he didn't have the legs like last year," said Froome. "It was tough but I'm happy to follow the best - Richie Porte was very strong on the final climb."
former teammates enjoying a ride together.............@)
our planet's NUMERO UNO. He's 31 years young and has the heart of a lion.
"Quintana tried one time to attack but maybe he didn't have the legs like last year," said Froome. "It was tough but I'm happy to follow the best - Richie Porte was very strong on the final climb."
former teammates enjoying a ride together.............@)
Wow ! Chris Froome wins today's ITT as he increases his lead to almost 4 minutes. How can this guy get beat when he is the best in the mountains and tops or second in the Individual Time trials. Tomorrow they continue the attack on the Alps. I think the only mystery left is who will occupy the other 2 podium spots for second and third.
kermit i think i saw -4000 the other day to win. Very early last week , was -115 or so?
from time to time we have the pleasure of witnessing great talent; how they act, how they speak, how they perform. This guy is a 'freak'. Just a remarkable athlete .
anxious to see how Yates finishes up. He's a strong climber.
Kudos to Britain-- holy shit, where did this all come from!?!?!?
from time to time we have the pleasure of witnessing great talent; how they act, how they speak, how they perform. This guy is a 'freak'. Just a remarkable athlete .
anxious to see how Yates finishes up. He's a strong climber.
Kudos to Britain-- holy shit, where did this all come from!?!?!?
.........dagone............
rarely takes credit....
"I think one of the big differences with our team, when I compare it to other teams, is that all eight teammates of mine are focused on one goal. If you look at other teams, they've got a sprinter, they've got two GC riders, they're trying to put guys in the break for stages," Froome said after the finish on Wednesday. "There's a lot of different things happening but I've got eight guys, nine including me, dedicated to one goal and that makes a big difference."
If I was riding for a small team it would be very different, I'd probably have a very different objective. I'd probably be looking to try and get in the break every day. It's a good opportunity to win stages," Froome said
makes for a very dull GC
it was so obvious the year Chris Froome the lead up Man for Bradley Wiggins. Chris was far superior to Bradley Wiggins in the Mountains but he helped Wiggins win the Tour. I knew after watching Chris trying to drag Wiggins up the steep slopes and looking back and Wiggins couldn't keep up that Chris would become the main Man the next year. Where is Bradley Wiggins now ? To me he's one of the least talented cyclists to ever win a Tour in the many years I have enjoyed watching !
Here we are 4 years later and Chris Froome will have won 3 of the last 4 Tours. The only thing that has prevented him winning 4'straight was injury caused by falling on the cobblestones. One of the greatest cyclists ever.
Well stage 19 in the Alps proved to be one of the most difficult days in this years Tour. Rain fell and took its toll of the riders including a hard fall by Chris Froome. Romain Bardet won the stage and moved into 2 nd place overall. Quintana moved into 3 rd place. Tomorrow's stage 20 will be the final day in the mountains and the last chance for the main contenders to gain a podium spot. Also more rain is expected so there will be a lot of drama for Team Sky as they try to keep Chris Froome safe. Today he was pulling away from his main competitors when he took a nasty fall on the descent ! Why he was obviously going for another stage win is a big mystery to me. However the answer is simple .... Because he's Chris Froome ! Tomorrow will be a must watch for me because not only is the race close for podium spots but that was a bad spill by Froome with plenty of blood showing on his elbow, leg and yellow Jersey. How will his body respond tomorrow ? It certainly adds some drama !
yup. Crazy competitor .
Just a crazy demanding .......BRUTAL stage. Posted awhile back we'd see the depth of this Team Sky come the mountains and would the loss of Porte be huge? Look at them today?! Thomas is there and hands him his bike. How about Wout!?!?! They end side by side..
You're right, tomorrow is really going to be tough--guys are hanging on, who can repair the quickest? MAXIMUM protection for Froome tomorrow - he can't be crazy, got lucky today that crash could have been a wwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhole lot worse!
wout and froome at the finish......
quotes:
Bardet (won the stage)
"It was just my bike rider’s instinct. It wasn’t planned at all. The whole team put in an incredible performance. Mikael Cherel just pushed, and pushed and pushed me to do it. At first I thought about GC but when I caught Rui Costa I knew I was going to go for the stage win. That was all that mattered at that point. I have no more words.
"I had no idea what was going on out there. I knew that if Mikael Cherel and I did a good descent together then we had a chance before the penultimate climb. I knew I that I could maintain my pace but you’re never 100 per cent sure. I’ve now won two stages in two years. I just hope can keep this going for two more days.
Froome:
"I think that I hit one of the white lines on the road and lost my front wheel.
"I’m okay, I’m lucky that nothing is seriously injured. I just lost a bit of skin but today is a day when I’m grateful for that four-minute advantage to fall back on a bit. It was great for me to have teammates all the way up until the finish there with Wout in particular and all the guys. It was a great team effort and it feels great to be one day closer to Paris.
"Today showed exactly why ... A crash like that could have gone either way and I’m grateful that nothing is injured. Never a quiet day at the Tour.
"I knew that the car was far back, and my bike, I could see it wasn’t useable after the crash. Thanks to Geraint for his bike. I rode that to the finish, and it was alright.
"Tomorrow is going to be hard, it’s going to be really hard and I’m sure that I’m going to be a bit stiff after today. Hopefully I can rely on my teammates and it’s just one last push."
Thomas (SKY)
"I could see Froome on the front and he was saying chill on the radio but he doesn’t do chill, does he.
All of a sudden he’s on the floor and going ‘I need a bike, I need a bike,’ so I gave him mine. Then I waited for the team car although they did drive passed me. I wasn’t going to run to the finish but luckly they stopped a few hundred meters laters and I got on this, and that was that."Rosa (Astana)
“We knew that something was going to happen because everyone is at their limit. Aru showed he was feeling well yesterday in the time trial and so we decided to attack the stage today. We were proven right. And it also helped on the descent in the rain. We were safer up front.
“We kept saying that we’d take things day by day and try to pull something back. We’ve done it. It’s just a pity the Tour is almost over. But Tomorrow is another tough day and we gave a lot today. Tomorrow we’ll see who has recovered and who hasn’t.”
Porte
"It was such a hard day. It was a mess in the final. Everyone kind of came down. It worked out well, we fought hard and tomorrow is another day. Today on the uphills and the corners it was slippery too. We will see what happens tomorrow and how it pans out. I gave it my all today."
Yes ! I think today showed how competitive Froome is but I would bet good money that tomorrow he will not be stupid. Tomorrow's finish is a downhill descent and rain is a distinct possibility. Brutal final day for GC group so good luck and be safe to all the riders.
